MANCHESTER, NH – The Western Michigan hockey team had its season come to an end Thursday afternoon at SNHU Arena, as Boston University claimed a 5-1 victory over the Broncos. 

Despite the loss, WMU had an excellent 2022-23 campaign. The Broncos have now collected back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances along with two straight 20-plus win seasons. Western Michigan captured its highest ever NCHC finish, placing second with 15 conference wins and 44 points. Along with that, Pat Ferschweiler won Herb Brooks Coach of the Year and Jason Polin was named the league's Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. Polin was a First Team All-NCHC selection and Ryan McAllister earned Honorable Mention All-NCHC accolades. 

"Zero chance I could be more proud of this group of young men," Ferschweiler said. "Our leadership, Jason Polin, is an incredible human being, he's an everyday player, he's an everyday person. We had other leaders in the locker room as well. Again, we were picked fifth, sixth in our league just like we were last year. We know who we are. We're ready to work everyday, we're ready to enjoy coming to the rink and being together. They care about each other and they overachieve their talent, and we look forward to doing it again next year." 

Max Sasson added:  "Coming into the year, we were picked sixth in our conference, we finished second. A lot of national rankings didn't even have us in the top twenty and we were top ten for most of the year and I'm just really proud of all the guys. I think everyone feels the same way, it's a special thing to put on that uniform every day and lucky to be a part of it."

Western Michigan's lone goal of the night came from Polin, who tallied his 30th goal of the season. He is now the NCHC single season record holder for goals and the second player in the nation in the last five years to record 30 or more goals in a season. 

BU came out on the attack, getting the first three shots of the game. Western Michigan finally settled in and started to put pressure on Terriers goaltender Drew Commesso. Ethan Wolthers put the first shot on net before Polin nearly put the Broncos in front. Commesso robbed Polin with a glove save. Midway through the first period, Hugh Larkin found the back of the net. However, the goal was taken off the board after an official review. 

Western Michigan continued to apply pressure, with Sasson nearly putting WMU on the board. His backhand drilled the post and the puck was eventually cleared away by Boston's defense. As the game moved to the later stages, BU was able to score the game's first goal, with Lane Hutson lighting the lamp. That would be the score after the first 20 minutes. 

In the second period, Luke Grainger was able to get a good look on net that was sent away by Commesso. BU then went on the attack and added a pair of goals to go up 3-0. Quinn Hutson and Matt Brown were the goal scorers. WMU found some offense not too long after that, with the nation's leading goal scorer getting the Broncos on the board. Polin used a great pass from McAllister to light the lamp. The goal was Polin's 30th of the year and an NCHC single season record. 

As the second period was winding down, Wilmer Scoog added another goal for the Terriers, putting them up 4-1. Boston University would carry that lead into the final period. 

Just a couple minutes into the final 20 minutes, BU went on a 5-on-3 advantage. However, the Broncos were able to escape trouble and eventually got back to full strength. Later in the period, WMU had a chance of its own on the power play, but nothing would find the back of the net. With limited time remaining, Western Michigan pulled its goalie to gain the extra attacker. Aidan Fulp and Sasson had looks turned away by Commesso, and the Terriers eventually scored on the empty net to secure a 5-1 victory. 

The Broncos conclude the season with a 23-15-1 record, which includes a Great Lakes Invitational championship and the best conference finish in program history.